Over the past 11 weeks, interns have worked alongside DESK’s development director, Luis Olmo-Rivera, to create DESK’s annual report. The work included designing the publication’s graphics, interviewing clients and stakeholders, and compiling data and success stories to share with funders and the broader community. Luis explained, “It’s been an honor and privilege to have worked with this group of future leaders this past summer.”

They also worked alongside DESK’s community engagement specialist, Stefano Mancini, to deploy DESK’s new volunteer management system CERVIS, which included back-end testing, beta testing with current volunteers, and overall platform testing to ensure it was user-friendly from day one. “DESK is proud to be a place where students across the world can put their skills to service for our guests,” explained Stefano.

Shujin Zhang, a Master of Divinity student at Yale Divinity School, excelled in the client-facing work that will inform her future career in chaplaincy. Shujin noted about her experience that ”I have witnessed struggles and moments of despair, but I have also been continually inspired by the compassion, dedication, and hope demonstrated through my colleagues’ frontline service.”

Anthony Arcangelo, a rising sophomore at Yale studying Economics, came to DESK as a President’s Public Service Fellow through Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs. While DESK has hosted several outstanding PPSF fellows in the past, we were particularly excited this year to have a fellow who is local, from East Haven! Reflecting on his work, Anthony stated that “Working at DESK has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. A key theme that stood out to me during my time at DESK was the genuine care and compassion shared across the organization. Everyone—administrators, staff, volunteers, and donors—truly cares about the well-being of the community, which is hard to find in any other environment.”

Ashvin van Bladel, a rising senior at Hopkins School, thrived helping with DESK’s annual report! Ashvin said about his time at DESK that “Having worked here, I can say with certainty that homelessness is not something that anyone should go through alone, and I believe that DESK is making sure that our clients feel seen, heard, and part of a community.”

Elyssa Power, a rising junior at Hopkins School, was one of DESK’s youngest-ever interns, but rose to the occasion with excellent work. Elyssa shared that “One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was interacting with clients and seeing firsthand the positive impact that kindness and consistency can have on someone’s life.”

DESK is very grateful for our cohort of four Development interns this summer who helped DESK make crucial connections with the New Haven community and communicate our mission to our team of supporters.

Are you interested in joining Shujin, Anthony, Ashvin, and Elyssa in serving over 5,000 community members across all our programs each year? Sign up at deskct.org/signup.